Burning to Ashes (6 page)

Someone started pounding on the door.

“Archer. We are under attack.” Zane’s voice came through the wood and Archer shot to his feet, cursing foully.

“Who?”

“It’s the Enforcers. Geo is in front, and they are demanding we give Scarlet over or they will kill us all for aiding and abetting.”

Scarlet’s blood ran cold.

“I’ll be there, now.” He reached for his pants and zipped them up with a groan of frustration.

He turned to her with a look that promised more. “We aren’t done with this.” He grabbed his shirt off the floor and tugged it on.

“Stay here. I’m going to investigate.” He pulled the door open. “Lock the door behind me. Don’t let anyone in but me, okay?”

She was too shocked to argue with him. Scarlet went to the door and locked it. Then, she mechanically changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. If the Enforcers were attacking, she wasn’t going to be caught in her nightdress.

The glow from her orgasm was fading and Scarlet was calling herself all the names she could think of. What the hell had she been thinking? Archer wasn’t single and she wasn’t the type of woman to mess with another woman’s man.

Archer was Selene’s, and it didn’t matter if he curled Scarlet’s toes if he just looked at her. Scarlet had no right to him.

What had happened had been a huge mistake. Scarlet pulled her shoes on. It sure as hell wasn’t going to happen again.

Even if you badly want it to happen again?

Yeah
, she told her inner voice.
Even if I do want it to happen again.

Part of her was going to mourn the fact that she couldn’t have Archer, and she was sure, it was more than just wanting him in a physical way.

He affected her on a visceral level, and Scarlet was going to have to fight that effect with everything she had in her.

As if she needed another battle—like being a pyro that was going to burn up in her own flames wasn’t enough? Or having a death sentence hanging over her head didn’t give her enough worries?

“Did I ever tell you, you have shitty timing, woman,” she muttered aloud to herself.

Life sucks. lift your skirts, and deal,
she scolded herself.
Time to go see what was going on—oh, and screw Archer’s command to stay put.
 

Chapter Six

“How the hell did the Enforcers find us?” Archer moved up behind Tate to peer through the partially opened up part of the window. The others had similar vantage points, all well hidden, but able to see out into the daylight.

Geo stood out in the open. He was relaxed, looking bored. He glanced up at the sun, then at the front of the building.

“I’m not going to wait much longer, Outsiders,” he intoned in bored voice.

Luke flickered into to view, a mirage in the strong sunlight outside. He was closer to the building than Archer liked.

“Stay back, Luke. I’ve got rock salt and I’ll use it,” he called out through the window, cocking the double gauge sawed off he held in his hands. He didn’t want the psychopath anywhere near Scarlet. She’d seemed freaked out by the sprit when Archer had found her, and he didn’t want her scared.

Luke disappeared, then reappeared next to Geo.

“Send her out, Archer, you know I’m going to get to her eventually, and I’d much rather you send her out than send Luke in. You know he can’t be trusted to take only the person he’s after.” Geo’s mouth curled into a smile that could only be called vicious.

Archer turned to the others. “We are going to have to go out there. Luke is unpredictable. I think we’ll have a better chance of talking this situation away, if we go face Geo.”

Archer turned toward Zane, and saw Scarlet standing at the back of the room. “Damn it, Scarlet,” he nearly yelled, then remembered Geo was just outside, and lowered his voice. “I told you to stay in the room.” He stalked towards her, intent on shaking some sense into her. Why would she be so stupid and put herself in danger?

He needed—no, both his beast and Archer—needed her safe and locked up in the room where she wasn’t in the line of fire, preternatural or otherwise.

He noted she’d gotten dressed before she’d come out of the room, and that was a good thing, or he would have had to maim Eternals left and right for seeing her in the nightdress.

“Well?”

Her chin lifted in defiance. “I’m not a child, and you aren’t going to treat me like one.”

Her skin was still flushed, and for a moment, he wondered if it was from the pleasure he’d given her.

The thought nearly derailed him, but he got control of his body and plastered a stern expression onto his face.

“I’m not treating you like a child. You need to be protected, and we can’t do that if you are in the thick of the fray.”

“You might as well close your mouth and save your oxygen because I’m not going anywhere. I’ve protected myself my whole life, and if you think I’m going to hand over my independence and act the weak woman, then you’ve got me all wrong.”

Archer didn’t have time to stand and argue with his stubborn
She
. He let a low growl of frustration trickle past his lips before he barked at Zane, “Keep her here, and don’t let her get past you no matter how sweetly she asks, or how hard she tries to bully you.” A dark look was thrown at Scarlet.

His gaze moved to the others who suddenly were looking anywhere but at Scarlet and Archer. “Are you ready?”

“Yep,” Tate confirmed.

“Bring it.” Sophia grinned as the others nodded.

“Let’s go.” Archer opened the door and stepped out into the sunlight.

He walked up to Geo, keeping a distance of about ten feet between them. He knew how fast Geo could move, and he wanted enough space to react if needed. The other four formed a
V
behind him—Tate on his left, and Erik on his right. Heath and Sophia flanked them.

Archer’s grip on the butt of the sawed-off was relaxed. His left hand hung at his side, the wrist sheath ready for release.

“Imagine it—allies, no friend, squaring off over one little immortal. Give her over, Archer. I’ll forgive your actions from the other night.” Geo’s stance was relaxed. Archer knew it was deceptive. Geo was one of the best fighters in the whole Eternal, and that’s why the angel was an Enforcer.

“You mean the night I cut your throat, or is it the night I tossed you out of Scarlet’s dreams?” Archer allowed himself a small smirk.

Geo’s expression went flat. “Pick one.”

“I can’t do that, Geo. That
Kalick
is suspect. Scarlet isn’t going to give away the existence of the Eternals.”

“That’s moot, and you know it. The order was handed down that until she dies, my orders are clear.”

“Do you think we give a shit about your orders? Leave, and take your freaky sidekick with you.” Erik raised an eyebrow. “We aren’t giving her over.”

Geo laughed…a rich warm sound. “Make me, blood mage.”

“You know I can turn you into a llama with a twitch of my thoughts, so go already. I’m tired. I wanna get some rest.”

“I’d like to see you try, Erik.” Geo’s voice dropped an octave as his body started tensing for a leap.

“Stop, both of you.” Archer stepped further forward and twisted his body so he could hold his hands up, palms out, facing both men. “This is
not
a pissing contest, got me?”

Archer glared at them each in turn. “Erik, let me handle this.” He turned fully toward the angel giving Erik his back. “Tell me something…if Jasmine is collecting humans to worship her, why aren’t your considerable talents being used to enforce a
Kalick
on her instead of Scarlet, who is pretty much innocent?”

Geo stared at him blankly for a moment. “Where did you hear this about Jasmine?”

Heath stepped forward. “I told him. I was undercover in her little cult. She’s letting humans think she’s a goddess, and her power grows every day.”

“We will have to go and report this.” Luke’s voice sounded like it was coming from the end of a long tunnel.

“You mean you didn’t know? That’s a first—us knowing something before the almost omnipotent Geo.” Tate unleashed a bark of laughter.

Geo looked like he wanted to strangle someone. “No, we had no idea this was happening.” His fists clenched at his side. “Very well. We will leave empty handed this time, but I won’t be swayed next time, Archer. I have a job to do, and I’m going to do it.”

Archer didn’t get a chance to reply because Geo’s form wavered, then disappeared.

* * * *

Anger and resentment bubbled in Scarlet’s gut like a pool of volcanic mud. She was furious at Archer for the stunt he had pulled, treating her like a kid in front of everyone. So not okay.

She wanted to punch him. No one treated her like that—
no one
. She’d done enough sitting back and letting these creatures dictate to her. It was time to take her control back.

She paced up and down the small space in the room, and when the door opened, she spun and glared at it. Archer stepped into the room, his eyes on a map he held in his hand.

He looked up and gave her a smile that made her legs feel unable to support her weight. She gritted her teeth and denied the effect he had on her.

“Ready for bed?” he asked, his voice a husky brush of pure lust.

More teeth gritting. “Yes.” She walked over to the bed picked up a spare pillow and the top comforter. She turned and tossed them at him. The map in his hand dropped as he grabbed the bedding midair.

“But you can sleep on the floor. I don’t share my bed with bullies.”

“Scarlet, what I did, I did for your own good.”

She turned her back, kicked off her shoes and slid under the top cover fully dressed.

“
Belan
, baby girl,” he tried again, while Scarlet ground two layers off her teeth and chewed holes in her tongue so she wouldn’t answer, or rail at him.

He sighed, and the sound was one of pure defeat. Scarlet almost caved then, but she held onto her resolve, and she heard him start making a bed on the floor.

* * * *

The need for a glass of water and the bathroom woke Scarlet late that afternoon.

She slid out of the bed, making as little noise as possible. Peeking over the foot of the bed, she saw Archer who was lying on his back, one arm tucked behind his head as if he was relaxing on the beach, the other lying across his bared stomach.

Scarlet swallowed the groan of appreciation that rose in her throat. The werewolf was a beautiful creature, like a living piece of sculpture, every plane and hollow of his form chiseled to perfection.

And he wants to get it on with you. You don’t realize how lucky you are, woman.

Scarlet made a rude sound at her inner voice, her hand flying to her mouth when Archer shifted in his sleep.

Time to get out of the room.

She tiptoed to the door, feeling like she was doing one of those exaggerated sneak maneuvers she’d seen in spoof movies. She turned the knob slowly and tugged the door open.

To her relief, it didn’t make a sound. She slipped out of the room and pulled the door closed behind her.

Scarlet held her breath to listen to hear if anyone else was up, but she didn’t hear anything.

Good.
Now to get to the bathroom before you flood the damn place.

She turned left, looked up and stopped.

The swinging doors from the diner side of the building opened up and Heath walked through, his head down as he studied the map clutched in his left hand. In his right, was a red coffee mug that read,
Screw Morning People
. His blond curls were sleep-tousled, and his feet were bare.

Scarlet cleared her throat, and his head jerked up. “Oh, evening, Scarlet were you looking for some coffee—” His stare went blank, the map, and coffee mug crashing to the floor. He took two strides towards her, and raised his hands to hold her face in his palms.

Scarlet found herself frozen in place, her eyes locked on his as they swirled. Silver and gold formed a maelstrom in this irises, his pupils disappearing in the eddies his irises caused.

She heard the door behind her open with force, but she was still unable to move.

Heath spoke, and his voice was like something that came from beyond the grave. “I see…” A frown furrowed his brow, and he seemed confused. “Pink? Yes, pink, the darkest shade of pink is a name, the lightest is a color.”

Scarlet was drawn deeper into his swirling gaze. “Without pink, you will find no answers, and answers will provide more questions. Questions will give no answers. I see turbulence, I see fire—lots of fire, I see ash…”

Scarlet felt Archer’s heat pressed to her back, his hands curled around her upper arms as if he knew what was coming.

Heath released her face, and Scarlet sank into Archer as he steadied her weight. She felt drained, as if someone had found a plug in her ankle and pulled it out, and all her energy had swirled away.

Archer pulled her further back into his arms as Heath stepped back. His mouth pulled as he asked. “What did I say this time?”

“You don’t know?” Scarlet felt her eyes widen. “How can you
not
know?”

“It doesn’t work that way. I never remember what I said. It’s like a hypnotist’s trance, something tells me to forget. So, what did I say?”

“You spoke about questions and answers, and fire and ash, and a lot of pink,” Archer replied.

Heath nodded, “Remember everything I said, Scarlet. Let it burn into your memory, because I don’t trance out unless it’s important? You picking up what I’m putting down?”

She nodded, feeling her strength return in slow measures.

“I’ll remember what you said.”

“Good.” He turned and saw the mess the full coffee mug had made. “Shit,” he spat. “That was my favorite coffee mug.”

Stepping around the cup, Heath pushed through the swing doors to go get something to clean the mess.

When Heath was gone, Archer squeezed Scarlet’s arms, and cradled her back against his chest. “Still mad at me?”